[#24] Being Unapologetically Yourself with Charity Kase

In this episode of The Pokes and Jokes Podcast, Grace Neutral and Jen Nolan are joined by drag artist and visual creator Charity Kase for an open and deeply honest conversation about identity, drag, HIV, gender, and learning when to let go of something that once saved you.Charity talks about losing the spark for drag, the pressure of making creativity pay the bills, and the reality of burnout after Drag Race. They reflect on British drag culture, camp, femininity, and how mainstream success can smooth the edges off something that was never meant to be polished.The conversation moves into Charity’s experience of being diagnosed with HIV at 18, the stigma that still exists today, and why modern treatment has completely changed what living with HIV looks like. Charity speaks openly about shame, survival, chosen family, and why education matters more than fear.There is also a candid discussion about gender expression, masculinity, body image, relationships, marriage, and learning not to make yourself smaller just to be accepted.Funny, raw, uncomfortable, and affirming in equal measure, this is a powerful episode about being unapologetically yourself and knowing when it is time to evolve.💍 This episode is sponsored by @regalrose — deadly detailed jewellery with a dark & dreamy twist. Use code JOKES20 for 20% off → regalrose.co.ukChapters00:00:00 Cold open00:01:41 Meeting Charity00:03:52 Burnout and drag00:05:10 British drag culture00:06:13 Drag as therapy00:07:44 HIV diagnosis00:09:55 Chosen family00:11:26 365 days drag00:13:35 Going viral00:14:25 Circus work00:15:40 HIV stigma00:16:48 Living with HIV00:17:55 Education and pride00:22:43 Drag Race reality00:23:53 Being boxed in00:29:50 What drag is00:32:29 Where is the camp00:34:30 Charity and Harry00:38:03 Gender expression00:41:40 Breaking binaries00:45:28 Being palatable00:46:24 Marriage regret00:54:07 Health and insecurity01:04:33 Future projects01:09:17 Piercings and body mods01:10:21 Sponsor shoutout01:10:59 Final thoughts#PokesAndJokesPodcast #CharityKase #BritishDrag #DragPodcast #QueerVoices #DragCulture #GenderExpression #LGBTQPodcast #HonestConversations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.